President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday honored the 2025 Galing Pook Awardees in Malacañan Palace, affirming that real progress begins where service is felt the most. “Sa barangay nagsisimula ang serbisyong pinakamalapit sa tao. Dito unang nararamdaman ng bawat mamamayan ang malasakit ng pamahalaan,” the President said, adding that trust grows when governance is clear and accountable. “Kapag malinaw ang proseso ng pamahalaan, lumalakas ang tiwala ng ating mga kababayan; kung may pananagutan, tumataas ang respeto ng mamamayan.”

The DILG stands firmly behind this call. As the institution tasked to enforce discipline, transparency, and order across all LGUs, the Department stresses that barangays must not only serve but deliver measurable results. Excellence at the frontline is not optional.

This year’s awardees proved what strong grassroots leadership can achieve, from river rehabilitation in Legazpi City and BUSkwela in Cagayan de Oro, to the Street Camps of Quezon City, solar-power reforms and purok clearance in Santiago City, urban gardens in Mandaluyong, and justice, inclusion, and community programs across Dagupan, Tabaco, South Cotabato, and Makati City. Each winner received a Galing Pook Marker and Php 300,000 from the DILG Local Government Academy, setting a standard other barangays are expected to meet.

“Kapag tinutugunan natin ang pangangailangan ng tao, nagdudulot ito ng magandang pagbabago,” the President said. The DILG echoes this message and urges barangays to reject complacency, strengthen systems, and uphold transparency and citizen participation in all programs.

President Marcos closed with a reminder. “Huwag niyo pong kakalimutan na dapat na malaki ang pasasalamat natin sa [pagpapaalala na ang pagbabago] at pag-unlad ay nagsisimula sa pinakamaliit na hakbang at lumalakas kapag tayo ay sama-samang kumikilos.”

Other finalists include the Dunong Kabuhayan Center (Brgy. Culiat, Quezon City), 1Namayan Web and Mobile App (Brgy. Namayan, Mandaluyong), From Waste to Worth (Brgy. Pagas, Cabanatuan City), Kalingang Inan (Brgy. Panacan, Narra, Palawan), the Semirara Island Emergency Action Group (Brgy. Semirara, Caluya, Antique), and Project Kanlungan (Brgy. San Bartolome, Quezon City).

The DILG remains committed to pushing this culture of disciplined governance and results-driven leadership to ensure every barangay becomes a true force for national development.